Even though he is young, Baby Jack is eager to explore his new world. His large ears pick up many wonderful sounds: the songs of a meadowlark, the barking of a prairie dog, and the "hooooo" of the wind blowing across the dry land.

As he sniffs the air, he enjoys smelling the sagebrush and the sweet cactus flowers.

Baby jackrabbits are born with fur on their tiny bodies. And they can hop about and explore their new world almost immediately after they are born!

During the hot desert days, Baby Jack does not explore. It is too hot for exploring when the sun is shining. Like his mother, he sits still in the cool shade of a clump of grass.

He feels safe in the shade. His brown fur blends right in with the soil and the dry grass. Hungry coyotes and eagles that are hunting for food cannot see him easily.

If an animal did come after Baby Jack, he would wait for the right moment. Then, in a flash, he would run away and find another safe hiding place in the grass.

In the desert, almost every day is bright, dry, and sunny. But this afternoon, Baby Jack watches gray clouds gather in the sky. The day gets cooler and darker. Then, Baby Jack feels drops of water coming from above. It is raining!

Rainy days are rare in the dry desert. The rain is new to Baby Jack. He hides behind a rock when the thunder sounds and the lightning flashes across the sky.

To find out what happens next in "Little Jackrabbit," go to the next page.